Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
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The trauma of the seventh grade has passed and now. Greg Heffley along with his pal Rowley (Zachary Gordon and Robert Capron), confidently walk into school as middle school veterans. But they're still in the lower levels of the social strata made painfully obvious at a skating party where Greg spots the "new girl in school" and is determined to move in before it's too late.
Of course, thanks to his own nervousness, the nerdyness of Rowley and the outright fraternal sabotage from his brother, Rodrick (Devon Bostick), let's just say things do not go well. All this leads us to the main plot line.
Basically what we have, again, is a glorified after school, made-for-TV movie on the big screen.
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules" introduces us to the "Mom Bucks" program. It's Mrs. Heffley's misguided effort to promote a better sibling relationship. When the boys don't fight during a designated period of time, they're rewarded with "Mom Bucks." Of course, Rodrick immediately begins to scam the program with significant consequences for his little brother.
As the movie meanders from one embarrassing, awkward or outright painful event to another, we're again subjected to the same formulaic ingredients that made up the first film. We're treated to the mandatory rude, tree house humor that sadly we simply can't live without nowadays. One scene, focusing on a chocolate candy bar mishap in church, is reminiscent of low humor usually reserved something like "Caddyshack."
One good thing about this year's Wimpy Kid movie is that Greg isn't constantly trashing and selling out his best friend, Rowley. There are few notable performances; basically, what we have, again, is a glorified after school, made-for-TV movie on the big screen.
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules" gets only 2 stars and it's rated PG.
